The recent upset of Ohio State by Michigan has dramatically reshaped the College Football Playoff landscape, leading to Ohio State falling to the No. 8 seed and raising questions about its playoff chances. As teams like SMU earn a first-round bye, the playoff committee faces a unique challenge in evaluating the rankings following multiple surprising results in Rivalry Week. Meanwhile, historic victories from Indiana and Penn State secure their spots in the playoffs, while discussions intensify about the implications of these changes for the Big Ten and the validity of the current playoff ranking system. Analysts and fans alike are left contemplating the future of the playoffs as the race tightens and new contenders emerge.